Whether you know it or not, you have likely been touched by the life of Leonard Davis, who was instrumental in the passage of Medicare, central to the development of the AARP, and dedicated to a vision of a more effective and efficient health care system. Our founder led a colorful life, not without controversy, as he pioneered the development of health insurance for the elderly. The legacy of Leonard and his wife Sophie Davis lives on in the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at USC, the Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program at CUNY, and many other philanthrophic activities. Leonard Davis died on January 15, 2001.